urban980

The fence could be part of the 2nd tower's grand opening. My guess is that the public relations folks didn't want the place to look like a construction zone.

Hotels tend to cluster together; just look at the area around the Square. Just off the top of my head, there are 4 or 5 different hotels within 2 blocks of Trade and Tryon. A major hotel near the Westin actually makes sense (especially with all of the development we've seen around the Duke Energy Center area over the last 5 years).

The following is now my new favorite shot of Charlotte's skyline. I found it here.

Hopefully it is proposed for some of those ugly vacant lots near Bofa Stadium. That area is worse than the vacant lots near TWC arena. As for South End projects, I must say that I am VERY impressed with Charlotte's effort to bring "real" urban life so close to the LYNX. I was shocked at the level of development going on near the Mecklenburg Area Catholic schools' headquarters in South End. The condos and row houses in this area doesn't even look like "Charlotte". It almost looks like something out of Baltimore or Pittsburgh. I LOVE IT!

^^^Great minds think alike lol. Check my edit above. I was thinking about the Hearst too! The Hearst is "up hill" compared to the Vue. How much difference has that hill made? If the drop from Tryon to Pine is 32 feet, that equates to roughly 10 meters off the height of the Vue (when compared to buildings on Tryon Street).

Sorry if this question has already been answered. Will (has) the Vue reach 200 meters tall? I know it was going to with the help of the two spires, but will it do so without them (the spires)? The reason why I ask this, is because the Vue might be just as tall as the Hearst (201 meters). The Hearst appears to be a taller building than the Vue, however the Vue sits "down hill" from the Hearst. I wonder how much this "down hill" location takes away from the Vue's relative height in the skyline. I ride my bike quite often Uptown, and I would say there is a good 25 foot drop (maybe more) from Tryon to Pine. Has anyone else noticed this?

Yeah, I am surprised that there aren't more pics taken from "da hood" areas of NW central Charlotte. This area has great skyline views. Also, there is a pedestrian bridge over I-77 near Oaklawn. I have not been on this bridge in years, however I am sure that bridge has an awesome skyline view. The only problem is one would have to aim their camera lens through the fence that surrounds the bridge to avoid any obstructions.

Is it just me, or would the Vue make one kicka$$ hotel?

Or the project could have exceeded the $180 million mark 2 months ago and the bank said "you're done, no more money honey". The fact that the developer did away with those million dollar spires was probably an effort to get this project back within the budget. I think the developer knew all along that this project will (or did) go over budget. They "hoped" that high condo sells would help them secure more money from the bank, but the condo sells have been flat for quite awhile I've heard.

Since we are on the topic of parking, would it have killed them (the developers) not to build these massive decks? I understand that Charlotte's culture is dominated by the mighty auto. However, I wonder just how many folks living in the "new urban South End" will own cars? In some cases, these decks are almost larger than the actual condo building. It just seems like a huge waste of money and land IMO. If the deck is only 1/3 full on most days, what are they going to do? Are they going to make it smaller? I doubt it. I personally think developers should build decks as needed. In other words, secure the land for the deck, but only build it when (or if) parking becomes an issue. If parking never becomes an issue, the developer can either further develop the land (or sell the land).

Me thinks Donald Trump could buy this (soon to be foreclosed) building for a steal. He did say it is "cheaper to buy than build". He probably saw this coming with the Vue and simply waited for the storm to arrive.

Good Point!!! I think we sometimes forget that LYNX has tons of TODs that have not come on line yet. When people start moving into these apartments, row houses, and condos in South End; it is going to be CRAZY!!!

You underestimate what trucks carry. Here is a hint. We carry EVERYTHING LOL! As uptown adds restaurants, food distributors (big rigs) will make their rounds into uptown. I haul gasoline. I deliver to the Circle K in 4th Ward and the Petro Express on 3rd and Charlottetowne. Many truckers deliver to places like Subway, Quiznos, and Starbucks (uptown has tons of these). If you get rid of Brookshire, guys like me would be on Graham St. If you get rid of John Belk, guys like me would be on Stonewall. It is just that simple. And don't even get me started on the number of moving trucks (people's furniture) in and out of uptown. Like I said, we haul EVERYTHING!

I am not concerned about the "car" traffic in and out of uptown. I have made it clear in a previous post that trucks (big rigs making deliveries like the one I drive) is my biggest concern. As uptown grows, so does freight deliveries and pickups in and out of uptown. Normal commuters have MANY non-vehicle options into central Charlotte. I myself NEVER drive into uptown for leisure. However, the freight haulers only have roads. It is a bad idea to put trucks onto central Charlotte's grid. I have driven big rigs on central Charlotte's grid. I assume not many of us on UP are local truckers (correct me if I am wrong). Not too long ago, I helped a lost trucker get out of 4th ward because she lacked the experience to make the tight turns. Without a freeway, there will be many more big trucks on uptown streets (not able to make tight turns). Stonewall, 3rd, 11th, and just about every west/east street in uptown will have lots more trucks if we remove any portion of I-277. This is a fact. I am all for urbanity, but building freeways to the burbs (I-485) and then taking a freeway away from the center of town (I-277) is just plain silly. People (urban lovers) poke fun at Atlanta's planning, but let's face it. Atlanta did what had to be done to compete with its suburbs. Do you guys really think Midtown, Buckhead, and Downtown Atlanta would be stronger if they did not have a freeway? Seriously! Urban is one thing, but reality is another. There isn't a "NYC" in the South. Maybe if we had NYC density, things would be different. The fact is we don't. Removing a freeway from uptown (while building freeways in the burbs) will give developers a very clear message. Removing I-277 will be the death of uptown Charlotte (and the rebirth of places like Ballantyne).

After giving it some thought, I am open to replacing the loop with a single west/east connector. However, the cost is still an issue. If we replaced the loop with a single connector road, how wide must that road be to handle the traffic of Brookshire and John Belk? I am starting to get visions of the I-85/I-75 "river" through downtown Atlanta. Do we want that? I certainly don't. I think the EPA standards brought up by another poster is something we all have over looked. Removing a freeway (any freeway) and replacing it with city streets would make Charlotte's air worse. Most cars burn 30% to 50% less fuel on a freeway as opposed to a city street with stop lights and low speed limits. Maybe we should start looking into a Boston styled "big dig"? If the NC turnpike authority takes over the burial of I-277, sold the new land created to the highest bidder, and made it a toll road, we could afford to do this. The questions now are: How much would Charlotte's "Big Dig" cost? How much can we sell the new land for? How much will the tolls have to be to make up the difference? Maybe we should bury the LYNX while we are at it?